This is not possible with our epidermis

The scales of a fish are slanted in the skin of the fish and consist of collagen, calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate. They overlap and form a firm layer that protects the fish against injuries, parasites and enemies. In many cases they also serve as reflectors or give colors.

What’s in a buttercup bud?

The images shown are taken from a beautifully colored prepared slide from the archives of the Royal Antwerp Society for Micrography. The slide is already quite old, from 1988. It shows a cross-section of a bud of the buttercup (Ranunculus) In spite of the age of the slide, the colors are still clear and fresh. Coloring has been carried out with the dyes sun-yellow, crocein scarlet and astra blue. The very thin coupe has been embedded in the resin Euperal. The use of yellow and blue colored dyes, resulted in green colored plant tissues, which is quite special.